Disruptions in water supplies continue – Jordan Times

AMMAN — Pumping from several water resources remained suspended on Sunday after heavy rain last week raised the turbidity levels of water, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

Since the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) ceased pumping from these sources last week, the water distribution programme was disrupted in Amman and several governorates, including Madaba and Jerash.

Minister of Water and Irrigation Mahir Abul Samin said in a statement to the press on Sunday that the ministry and water companies are closely monitoring the water supply after the suspension of pumping.

“The WAJ has discontinued pumping water from some resources, such as the Heidan wells in Madaba and Ain Al Deek spring in Jerash, as a precautionary measure to safeguard public health,” Abul Samin said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

The minister noted that the authority stops pumping water from a particular source if the quality doesn’t meet certain standards.

“The Ministry of Water and Irrigation will only resume pumping when lab tests by the Ministry of Health and WAJ confirm that water is safe and matches our standards,” he added.

Pumping was discontinued from several sources after heavy rain last Tuesday and Thursday raised turbidity levels. Turbidity refers to a liquid’s clarity. If more particles are found in the water, its turbidity is said to have increased.

Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) Operations Director Ghazi Khalil said pumping from the Zara-Maeen Water Treatment and Wadi Seer plants, as well as the Ruseifa, Waleh and Heidan wells was suspended because the water was muddy.

The suspension affected the water distribution programme in Amman because these resources supply 40 per cent of the capital’s water needs.

Under the water distribution programme, households receive water once during a certain period, usually between 7-10 days on a rotating basis.

Scarce water resources in the country compelled the Kingdom to initiate the programme in the early 1980s to conserve limited resources whilst ensuring a sustainable supply of water.